The lesson begins with the words of Paul in Acts 20:27-30. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  An examination of the doctrines found in the various “churches” proves the truth of Paul’s words. All kinds of false doctrines are taught by those who claim to be part of the body of Christ. Men who teach perverse doctrines love the following that they have due to their perverse ways and teachings. Yet, many of those who teach false doctrines castigate those of us who labor to teach the truth so that the lost can be saved. It is worth repeating. Joining a “church” or claiming membership in a “church” does not save anyone no matter what a false teacher may claim to the contrary or what you believe or what you have been taught.

That which is the whole counsel of God teaches puts one into Christ and teaches godly living after baptism (immersion into Christ). Not following the scriptures pertaining to baptism (immersion) is bad enough, but there are teachings which are so contrary to sound doctrine they defy the imagination. The doctrinal errors are either a result of poor biblical scholarship or the refusal to believe God means what has been given in the Bible. Many of the errors rest in a misunderstanding of God’s love. It is many times twisted to excuse the sinful behavior of those who don’t want to change their style of living and also to deny that the essential doctrines for initial salvation are valid in this day and age since God loves everyone.

God gave instructions to Adam Eve for a number of reasons; one of which was love since God wanted them to be in a relationship with him to avoid harm. But they were harmed due to not accepting God’s conditions to stay in a covenant relationship to enjoy his love. God’s requirement for Adam and Eve to be in a relationship with him was therefore conditional. The condition was thou shall not eat of that tree. Eve did and God invoked the condition. At this point, God’s love wasn’t unconditional since there was the do not prohibition attached to it. To repeat: God’s love is perfect since he is perfect and he always gives the instructions that protect his human creation from harm.

Verses 29 and 30 are as true in this day as they were in the day when Paul spoke them. There are always those who want to develop a following and who will pervert the scriptures to gain the followers. That is so in both the past and present periods, and the scriptures give the remedy for the assembly to avoid error. In Acts 14:23, elders were ordained in every assembly. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.  They were men strong believers in the faith of Christ. In Paul’s letter to Titus, Chapter 1:9 Paul wrote: Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. The gainsayers are the wolves and the men who speak perverse things to draw away the flock of God. The elders are to be sound in the faith that they can stifle the false doctrines that did arise and continue to arise in the body of Christ. Each individual assembly had its own elders and deacons and took care of the business as the Bible instructed. There was no organization greater than the respective local assemblies of each community.

 It is worth noting that scriptures do not teach ecclesiastical positions of high-minded officials lording it over the believers through boards, conferences and societies of various kinds. Rather the organization of the body provided for elders (at times referred to as pastors and bishops due to the many different duties that they have) and deacons. The elders of the body minister to the spiritual health of the assembly and the deacons take care of the material aspects under the direction of the elders. Of course, the deacons must be men of faith, (Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, I Timothy 3:9), and of good report, as Paul wrote in I Timothy, chapter 3:8-10.

The organization of the body is simple and its design is for the purpose of perfecting the faith and ministering to the needy, all the while exhorting all the members to live a life of purity and holiness. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (II Corinthians 7:1)

© 12- 09-2009 DEC

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